American fends off, kills suspected robber in Germany

BERLIN (AP) — A civilian U.S. Army employee killed a suspected robber during an attempted home invasion in western Germany, authorities said Tuesday.

The 43-year-old suspected burglar, who wasn’t named, was among four men who tried to force their way into an American family’s home Sunday in Landstuhl.

Prosecutors in Zweibruecken said the 41-year-old American father managed to fend off the men using a kitchen knife, stabbing one of them several times. The American and his wife, who weren’t named, suffered minor injuries, prosecutors said. Their three children were unharmed.

Authorities said the robbers initially fled by car, but then placed the injured man on a sidewalk while his 51-year-old brother called for help. The younger man died, while the older was arrested by police. Both were German citizens, said Zweibruecken prosecutor Iris Weingardt. Two other suspects are still being sought.

Prosecutors said the American man is being investigated for bodily harm leading to death, although authorities are considering whether he acted in self-defense.

Gino Mattorano, a spokesman for the U.S. Army’s Regional Health Command Europe, where the American is employed, said it is fully cooperation with German investigators.

Landstuhl is home to many service personnel and civilian employees of nearby U.S. military bases.